NIMASA moves to digitise ship registry services

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has hosted a two-part stakeholder webinar between 6th and 8th October 2026 to showcase the ongoing automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry, as part of efforts to modernise ship registration services and enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag.

The webinars provided shipowners, operators, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers and other stakeholders with insights into the new digital registration platform and its potential to significantly improve the speed, transparency and efficiency of ship registration and related services.

The Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, in a statement, explained that the automated system was designed to enable 24/7 access to registration services, streamline application and approval processes, and facilitate faster issuance of electronic certificates, reducing administrative delays associated with conventional paper-based procedures.

According to Edward, a key feature of the platform is its capacity to provide secure and real-time tracking of ship mortgages and related registry transactions, strengthening transparency and providing greater visibility for stakeholders, including financial institutions and other parties involved in vessel financing.

“The automation initiative is also expected to make interaction with the Nigerian Ship Registry more seamless for local and international shipowners, while improving the Agency’s ability to deliver efficient, responsive and globally competitive flag-state services,” Edward said.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the automation of the Ship Registry was part of the agency’s broader commitment to transforming the Nigerian flag and creating an enabling environment for increased participation in the global shipping industry.

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“The automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry represents a significant step in our commitment to providing efficient, transparent and globally competitive services to shipowners and other maritime stakeholders.

“Our objective is to make the Nigerian flag more accessible, responsive and attractive through technology-driven processes that meet international standards,” Mobereola said.

The ongoing user-testing phase is focused on validating the platform’s functionality, security and user experience ahead of its official deployment.

NIMASA said the webinars would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the platform, experience its key features and provide feedback as the Agency moves towards full implementation.

NIMASA is inviting shipowners, ship managers, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers, legal practitioners, classification societies and other interested stakeholders to participate in the webinars.